Make sure the mounting surface is clean and level

Performance Gain:

Proper engine cooling

Complementary Modification:

Replace balance shaft and timing belt

Replacing the water pump is an important part of the proper maintenance on your Porsche 944. If you're suspecting a pump starting to go bad (whining sound from the bearing or drips of coolant under the vehicle), you should replace it right away, as you cannot drive the car once it fails. If you are going to reinstall the balance shaft belt and timing belt, make sure to mark their direction. In addition, do not turn the balance shaft belt inside out.

You will need to drain the coolant to below the level of the water pump. If you have not recently flushed your system, this may a good time to do this maintenance as well. The drain plug is located on the lower front side of the radiator (red arrow). Please see our article on coolant replacement and bleeding for additional assistance.

You will have needed to remove both the timing and balance shaft belts along with all of the associated pulleys to get to this point. Use a 10mm socket and remove the fasteners holding the rear plastic cover in place (red arrow).

Depending on the type of clamps you have, use the appropriate tool and remove the clamp from the pump to heater hose (red arrow). There will be a cable for the oil pressure sensor (yellow arrow) that you will need to move aside to remove the water pump.

There are three types of fasteners on the pump: a long bolt (red arrow), regular bolts (yellow arrow) and nuts and washers (green arrow). All fasteners are 10mm. Use a 10mm socket and remove all the fasteners.

You can now pull the pump straight off from the block (red arrow). Even though you have drained the coolant, there will still be some that will spill out. Be prepared for it by having a drain pan below.

Before installing a new pump, make sure to clean all the old gasket and any dirt or debris from the mounting surface (red arrow). Use a Scotch-brite pad and clean up any corrosion on the studs (yellow arrow).

Remember to reroute the oil pressure sensor wire when reinstalling. Installation is the reverse of removal. You do not need to use any sealant, but you must use a new gasket each time you remove the pump. Do not forget to refill the coolant, bleed the system and check for leaks.